EP220: Episodes of Care Payments: A Lower-Risk Way to Take On Risk, With François de Brantes of Remedy Partners

Today we're talking episodes of care payment models, otherwise known as bundled payments. Just to catch you up if you're unfamiliar, this type of payment model means that a health care provider packaging together all the services needed during an episode and charges a guaranteed price for guaranteed quality of care. If we're talking about government payments, about 50% of, for example, knee surgeries are paid for right now in an episode of care fashion. In the private pay landscape, that number is lower but growing. Bundles have advantages to purchasers (ie, employers or taxpayers who are the ultimate payers) because it's possible to predict and compare the target price they'll pay. But it's also important for consumers who are partial payers in most cases. Bundles make health care prices transparent in a way that fee for service (FFS) can never manage. Today I speak with François de Brantes, senior vice president at Remedy Partners and a noted expert in episodes of care and bundled payment initiatives. François also actively supported the launch of the Leapfrog Group, created Bridges to Excellence, and led the development and implementation of PROMETHEUS Payment. You can learn more at remedypartners.com. François de Brantes is senior vice president of commercial business development at Remedy Partners. He has spent nearly 20 years advocating for, and working to transform, the US health care system by improving incentives for providers and consumers to encourage value-based decisions. Prior to joining Remedy Partners, he was executive director of the Health Care Incentives Improvement Institute (HCI3), a not-for-profit company that designed programs to motivate physicians and hospitals to improve the quality and affordability of health care delivery. Early in his career at General Electric, he was involved in many strategic programs that rewarded providers for better performance. He has written extensively about the topic, including his 2013 book, The Incentive Cure: The Real Relief for Health Care.